Notes and Editorial Reviews

‘In a celebrated cast, Gedda, as Hoffmann, sings beautifully and with dramatic feeling, Victoria de los Angeles is a delightful Antonia, Schwarzkopf brings sumptuous creamy tone to Giulietta, Blanc is a splendid Dapertutto, and the smaller parts, mostly taken by French singers, sound completely idiomatic.’ -- (Gramophone) ‘In a celebrated cast, Gedda, as Hoffmann, sings beautifully and with dramatic feeling, Victoria de los Angeles is a delightful Antonia, Schwarzkopf brings sumptuous creamy tone to Giulietta, Blanc is a splendid Dapertutto, and the smaller parts, mostly taken by French singers, sound completely idiomatic.’ -- (Gramophone) Read less

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: ( 4 Customer Reviews )

Not my "Go to" Tales of HoggmannJuly 28, 2016By Brian Lowery (Kearneysville, WV)See All My Reviews"I listen to Les Contes D'Hoffmann often in my shop as I work. I did enjoy this recording, particularly the performances of George London, but I have other recordings that I like much better. The two that I listen to most often are Opera D'Oro's set with S&aacute;ndor K&oacute;nya, and Westminster's CD with Beverly Sills. I also like Sony's with Richard Tucker and Philips' 3CD set with Francisco Ariza. If you really like &quot;Hoffmann&quot; it is worth adding to your collection, but if it is going to be your only recording I encourage you to purchase one of the other CDs."Report Abuse

As it was meant to be cast.March 10, 2016By Joseph Erdeljac (West Chester, PA)See All My Reviews"This is one of my very favorite recordings of this opera because it is cast with 3 different women in the 3 roles, as it was meant to be done. I admire those few sopranos who have successfully attempted all 3 roles but somehow they all fall short for me on at least one of the three. In this recording Gedda is without question exemplary in his role and Schwarkopr, D'Angelo and de los Angeles as perfectly suited vocally for their parts. I find it far more interesting to have 3 different women also because you have 3 different personalities in the roles. Each person brings their own idea of the character to light through their individual personalities. Also their body types help make the characters more individual as well. In spite of the great accomplishment of sopranos like Sills and Sutherland in their recordings, I still prefer this recording over them for the above reasons. This is Les Contes D'Hoffman as it was meant to be done."Report Abuse